The Big Show

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**The Big Show**

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we’ll have in-depth analysis and lively discussion about everything happening in the NHL. Whether it’s trade rumors, player development or season predictions, it has expert takes and fresh perspectives on every episode.

Latest Episodes:

The Hockey News Future Watch Show: Breaking Down The 2027 NHL Draft Class Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Eric Cruikshank, Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari discussed in this episode:

0:48: Breaking down the top prospects from the 2027 NHL Draft

5:40: Who will be the most exciting NCAA freshman to watch this season?

9:25: Reflecting on the CHL-NCAA agreement one year later

14:21: Who are some recent first-round picks with the most to prove this season?

18:24: Early outlook on the 2026-27 Calder Trophy race

23:16: Which players will benefit the most from the NHL’s new AHL eligibility rules?

26:45: Ryan Kennedy previews his weekly Prospect Watch column

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Could Connor Hellebuyck Sit Out For The 2026-27 Season? Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:31: What are your thoughts on Cale Makar's new contract extension?

2:22: Does Makar’s deal change the Stanley Cup window for the Colorado Avalanche?

4:02: Does Makar deserve credit for playing with a team-friendly contract in Colorado for so long?

7:19: Does Makar's contract impact Quinn Hughes’ negotiations with the Minnesota Wild?

8:59: How much should Quinn Hughes earn on his next deal?

11:00: Could Connor Hellebuyck sit out for the 2026-27 NHL season?

16:03: Are there any other American-born players who might want out of their Canadian franchises?

18:46: Could Sam Montembeault be a short-term fix to the Edmonton Oilers’ goalie injuries?

23:32: Can the Carolina Hurricanes remain dominant with Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their goaltending tandem?

26:11: Reacting to the first 10 names on the NHL Network’s top 50 players list

28:25: Which NHL teams will be the most intriguing to follow in 2026-27?

32:00: What should the Florida Panthers expect from Aleksander Barkov this season?

33:00: Over/Under: 65 Points next season for Jimmy Snuggerud?

34:25: Yes or No: Will Alex Ovechkin record yet another 30-goal season in 2026-27?

35:26: What is your favourite EBUG story in recent NHL history?

37:11: Jaromir Jagr, 54, says it would take a "miracle" for him to play this season. Will Jagr still suit up?

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What Are Reasonable Expectations For The Winnipeg Jets? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ex-NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:56: What would be a successful season for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

3:25: Does it feel like the bottom-six players on the Maple Leafs have a defined role?

4:29: Does Auston Matthews have to score 60 goals this year?

5:27: What is the feeling surrounding the Washington Capitals heading into next season?

6:25: How many points will Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou finish with next season?

9:25: Can Simon Nemec be a strong fit with the Calgary Flames next season?

14:12: What are reasonable expectations for the Winnipeg Jets?

18:01: Who are some rookies who could force their way into NHL lineups during training camp?

21:11: Which teams need to lock up their pending RFAs as soon as possible?

23:32: Which center from the NHL Network's top-20 list will have the biggest jump and biggest fall?

26:04: Is there anyone not on the list right now that will be on it next year?

27:15: Predicting the Rocket Richard Trophy, Calder Trophy and the Norris Trophy winners

29:25: Which team between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders has the better defensive core?

30:59: How many points will Darren Raddysh finish with in his first season with the Maple Leafs?

32:01: As the Pacific Division grows stronger, will the Vegas Golden Knights make the playoffs next season?

33:50: Which coaches are entering the season under the most pressure?

35:31: Drew Shore discusses his experience in the Alumni game between the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Pioneers

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Who Will Replace Alex Tuch’s Goal-Scoring On The Buffalo Sabres? Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy, and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which players will replace Alex Tuch’s goal-scoring on the Buffalo Sabres?

7:39: Predicting Quinn Hughes’ contract extension with the Minnesota Wild

12:25: Have the Columbus Blue Jackets done enough to be competitive and keep Zach Werenski?

15:49: Which veteran goaltender will have the most success with their new team?

18:35: Which NHL players will avoid the ‘sophomore slump’?

22:40: Who is the best NHL player that never suited up for the team that drafted them?

25:15: Will Pavel Dorofeyev score over or under 40 goals this season?

26:25: What will Nikita Kucherov’s next contract look like?

29:20: Who is the best player that never won a Stanley Cup?

31:12: What are some of the most valuable contracts in the NHL?

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Who Are The Top Breakout Candidates In The NHL? Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:32: What are some deals that should end up as absolute bargains when compared to this new going rate for high-end players?

4:28: Where does Nikita Grebenkin fit into the Philadelphia Flyers lineup?

6:04: What do you think the upside to Nikita Grebenkin is?

7:10: Should the Flyers try to sign Matvei Michkov to an 8 year deal before they can't?

10:26: How do the New York Islanders get back in the playoffs this year and what do they need to address?

14:22: Where do you think The New York Islanders are finishing next season?

15:46: Which defensemen will make the biggest jump or biggest fall?

18:00: Are there defensemen not on the list right now that we will be on next year?

19:34: Who are some potential candidates as breakout forwards for the upcoming season?

21:33: How would you rank Anze Kopitar, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews?

24:20: Who will be the next captains for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators and St Louis Blues?

27:22: Which team do you think will not win a Stanley Cup before 2036?

29:49: Who needs to have a breakout season more than Alexis Lafreniere or Quinton Byfield?

31:24: Hlinka Gretzky recap, Canada won gold with a dominant 8-1 win over USA. Which players stood out the most throughout the tournament?

34:39: Katie Gaus had a great twitter poll this weekend: Who's the best Staal brother, Eric or Jordan?

36:38: What is your album of the summer?

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What Can McKenna Deliver As Maple Leafs Rookie? Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ex-NHLer Drew Shore, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:44: Thoughts on this contract for Colin Graf?

1:54: What do you like about Colin Graf’s style of play?

3:40: Thoughts on Tommy Novak’s extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins?

5:07: What to make of Cutter Gauthier’s situation with the Anaheim Ducks?

7:03: Are the Los Angeles Kings simply too old?

9:34: Is getting Drake Batherson signed the number one priority for the Ottawa Senators?

11:00: What should Batherson’s next contract look like?

13:46: Will the Carolina Hurricanes trade or keep Alexander Nikishin?

19:24: What are realistic expectations for Gavin McKenna?

20:39: Will the Toronto Maple Leafs try McKenna with Auston Matthews or John Tavares?

24:10: Who are the top 2027 NHL draft prospects to watch at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup?

26:26: Could Joey Cullen be the top pick in the 2028 NHL Draft?

27:50: Will the Anaheim Ducks make the playoffs in the 2026-27 season?

29:25: How many goals will Cole Caufield score next season?

30:40: Which players are flying under-the-radar for next season?

32:34: Will Sean Avery be more impactful as an actor or a hockey player?

34:16: Do the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks have a more impactful D-core?

35:50: If you could attend any hockey game in history, which would you choose?

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Does John Tortorella Deserve Another Chance In The NHL? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:36: Will John Tortorella have another chance at coaching in the NHL?

2:12: Where could you see Tortorella fitting in if he returns?

4:32: Who should the Buffalo Sabres pursue on offense after missing out on Patrick Kane?

8:52: Do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins are held back from the rebuild they need by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang?

12:47: Would Kirill Marchenko truly benefit from a trade from Columbus? How would he benefit from staying and re-signing?

16:50: How much of a concern is the goaltending for the Florida Panthers next season?

21:00: The Hockey News is continuing to release its rankings for coaches among all 32 NHL teams. What are your thoughts on Mike Sullivan at No. 6?

24:40: What does Jared Bednar need to do to stay in the top 5?

29:15: Yes or no: Patrik Laine will be on an NHL team by the start of the 2026-27 season

32:10: Is Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill on the hot seat?

35:48: How many points will Connor Bedard score this season with Patrick Kane on the team?

37:30: After Jack and Quinn Hughes joined Morgan Wallen for his concert entrance in Michigan over the weekend, what's your favorite hockey/music crossover?

39:23: Will Morgan Rielly and/or Dakota Joshua be on the team when the season starts?

41:56: Should Leo Carlsson be the next captain for Anaheim?

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Should Larkin Remain Red Wings Captain If He Stays For Next Season? Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Michael Traikos, Michael Augello and Ex-NHLer Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

0:42: Is this contract too much too soon for Connor Bedard?

2:49: Has Chicago done enough to build around Bedard?

5:13: Thoughts on this deal for Jamie Drysdale?

6:46: What are your thoughts on the Philadelphia Flyers for next season?

10:16: Overall thoughts on Kirby Dach's deal, and is this a chance for him to prove himself?

13:36: What do you make of the Connor McMichael contract, and could he potentially have a career year in St. Louis?

15:13: What is the feeling surrounding the Blues right now?

16:52: Who will lead the Blues in scoring next season?

18:00: Where could you see as a good fit for Vladimir Tarasenko, and where is he at this point of his career?

20:15: What does a discount even look like for Macklin Celebrini?

23:10: Ranking the NHL coaches from 26 through 21, which coach do you think will fall or rise over next season?

26:17: Ranking the NHL coaches from 20 through 16, which coach do you think will fall or rise over next season?

29:13: Ranking the NHL coaches from 15 through 11, which coach do you think will fall or rise over next season?

35:00: Which teams do you think will be stuck in the middle next season?

36:11: YES or NO: Should Dylan Larkin remain the Red Wings captain if he stays with the team?

38:56: Which young player is due for a breakout this upcoming season?

40:00: Is Jared Bednar looking over his shoulder after Colorado hired Jussi Ahokas for AHL club?

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Will The Oilers' Three-Goalie System Solve Everything? Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Here's what Ryan Kennedy, Michael Traikos and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:44: Was this the right decision by the Anaheim Ducks to match the offer sheet on Leo Carlsson?

3:47: What do the Anaheim Ducks now do with Cutter Gauthier?

5:10: What price does Gauthier go for on his next contract?

6:44: What player should the Philadelphia Flyers be eyeing?

10:55: Do you think a three-goalie system will be the answer to the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending woes?

13:00: Do you buy what the Oilers are selling on their goaltending?

15:32: Should the Buffalo Sabres try to sweeten the pot and go for Connor Hellebuyck?

19:20: If the Sabres don't get Hellebuyck, what is the plan B?

20:05: The Sabres re-signed Peyton Krebs to a four-year, $18-million contract. Thoughts?

21:47: Where do you see Patrick Kane fitting in?

24:26: What do you do with Patrik Laine at this point in his career?

26:58: Which players likely won't be able to get a deal done before their arbitration dates?

30:08: Which team is the most underrated heading into the 2026-27 NHL season?

31:53: Do you agree with the Carolina Hurricanes owner's decision to put his family members on the Stanley Cup?

34:50: Viggo Bjorck announced his departure from Djurgarden and will play in the Jets organization next season. If he plays in the AHL, are Swedish fans right to be mad about losing him?

37:40: The New York Islanders are giving fans the chance to design the team's third jersey. How would you design their third jersey?

39:26: Better summer water spot: lake or ocean?

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What Is Jason Robertson's End Goal? Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Here's what former NHL goalie Devan Dubynk, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

1:28: What do the Anaheim Ducks do with Leo Carlsson? Do they match the offer sheet?

4:57: How much does contract talk get into the dressing room?

7:40: What do the Ducks do with signing Cutter Gauthier when they only have limited cap space left?

12:30: Is Arturs Silovs a goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins to rely on?

15:25: Fifteen players have filed for arbitration, including Jason Robertson. What is his end goal?

19:17: Kirby Dach, also on the list, had a $4-million qualifying offer and still filed for arbitration. Is he worth that much?

21:02: Is this a dicey move by Dach considering his injury troubles?

23:28: What is going on in Vancouver? Is center Elias Pettersson going to be traded?

25:07: Where do you see Pettersson contributing to the Canucks?

28:10: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported there being some discontent with Brady Tkachuk's podcast later in the season. Thoughts?

31:48: Which team is missing the most pieces?

33:41: Who is the next player to get an offer sheet?

34:49: Alex Ovechkin is 71 goals away from 1,000 in the regular season. Should he go for it and play two more seasons?

37:50: Who will be the worst team in the NHL in 2026-27?

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